The Pop-Up Phenomenon (2)

LETTING SPACE is a public art programme in Wellington New Zealand in 2010 that seeks to transform the relationship between artists, property developers and their city. It commissions temporary art works from leading New Zealand contemporary artists for commercial CBD spaces.

The first works were "pop-up" installations by Dugal McKinnon (18 April - 9 May, 141 Willis Street) and Kim Paton (21 May - 6 June, 38 Ghuznee Street).

"The projects all revalue things which have been regarded as worthless,"say curators Mark Amery and Sophie Jerram. "The usefulness of unemployment, the beauty of throwaway packaging, the past history of commercial real estate and the potential for occupation of Mars, all these projects cunningly analyse what is typically considered unuseful and is lying fallow.”

The next two are The Beneficiary's Office by Tao Wells in October and Taking Stock by Eve Armstrong in November. They will be followed by projects by Colin Hodson and Bronwyn Holloway-Smith in 2011.

The Pop-Up Phenomenon (1)

From art projects to restaurants, the pop-up phenomenon is the latest creative initiative in the face of the recession. Empty shops, ex-warehouses, and other deserted spaces are now transformed into temporary art galleries, restaurants, shops, etc.

The French House, proclaimed undeground restaurant and social experience, has launched is first supper Sunday 23rd May. They propose "to invite you to debate ideas and meet people, sharing table and dishes, in a cosy and intimate environment, that will change for each event". You won't know where it will be and what the menu will be until a few days before. Because of its underground nature, it works on bookings-only basis, and you have to be a friend to be part of the experience.

They also propose to collaborate with artists, and welcome proposals from all practitioners.